By Barrie Alpha
Christian Dauda, who was part of the people that dined with President Bio, vice-president Juldeh Jalloh, SLFA President, national coach, national players on Sunday June 20 2021 at Bintumani, has been extolled by football loving fans for his courage, relentless and selfless efforts throughout the qualifying process that ensured Leone Stars end the 25 years wait to return to the African Nations Cup in Cameroon 2022.
The former Team Manager was sacked unofficially after he opted to contest in the past SLFA election, but it was an undisputed fact that, since his official appointment in 2014, by the then Minister of Sports, Paul Kamara, he has diligently offered his service, work for the interest of the country and make sure that the young boys, the technical team and officials are well catered for.
TM Dauda was deeply involved in everything; he stood by three members of the Sierra Leone delegation, which includes two officials, Eric Fomba (NSA Media Officer), Philip Kor (the Masseur/fitness coach) and the team Captain, Umaru Zangalay Bangura who were tested positive for COVID-19 in Niamey when the medical authorities, in Niger, decided that the three patients should be isolated for 14 days until they test negative before all of them returned home together.
Speaking to Night Watch Newspaper, the Chairman of Camp DIVA Youth Football Association, Charles Carew, said Christian Dauda has demonstrated his passion and love for the national team and football in Sierra Leone. “Despite his unofficial sacking, which we all know the reason for, he makes sure that he followed the team to Guinea where Sierra Leone defeated Benin to qualify for the AFCON in Cameroon,” he said.
“You cannot talk about Leone Stars qualifying for the AFCON without mentioning TM Christian Dauda, taking into consideration that he was part of the process since the beginning,” Abdulai Kamara, a supporter of Mighty Blackpool FC, maintained.
“TM Dauda also brought a difference in the national team in terms of dressing officially during the qualifying matches and other international assignments. So, as far as Leone Stars is concerned, he should be reinstated as Team Manager,” he said.
“Christian Dauda’s remarkable patriotism and enviable Team Management qualities is also part of the motivation that ensures we are up to the task and be where we are today,” Kadiatu Turay stated.